Across the opposite borders of this kingdom poured the hostile hosts, meeting in battle at Lützen and Buntzen. Here the French held the field, driving their adversaries across the Oder, but not in the wild dismay seen at Jena. A new spirit had been aroused in the Prussian heart, and they left thousands of their enemies dead upon the field, among whom Napoleon saw with grief his especial friend and favorite Duroc. A truce followed, which the French emperor utilized in gathering fresh levies. Prince Metternich, the able chancellor of the Austrian empire, sought to make peace, but his demands upon Napoleon were much greater than the proud conqueror was prepared to grant, and he decisively refused to cede the territory held by him as the spoils of war. His refusal brought upon him another powerful foe, Austria allied itself with his enemies, formally declaring war on August 12, 1813, and an active and terrible struggle began. [=The Battle of Dresden, Napoleon's Last Great Victory=] Napoleon's army was rapidly concentrated at Dresden, upon whose works of defence the allied army precipitated itself in a vigorous assault on August 26th. Its strength was wasted against the vigorously held fortifications of the city, and in the end the gates were flung open and the serried battalions of the Old Guard appeared in battle array. From every gate of the city these tried soldiers poured, and rushed upon the unprepared wings of the hostile host. Before this resistless charge the enemy recoiled, retreating with heavy loss to the heights beyond the city, and leaving Napoleon master of the field. [Illustration: THE BATTLE OF DRESDEN, AUGUST 26 AND 27, 1813 At Dresden, August 26 and 27, 1813, Napoleon gained the last of his many great victories, against a large army of Austrian, Prussian and Russian allies. In this hard-fought battle Murat, the dashing cavalry leader, was the hero of the day. Never had he led more effectively his "whirlwinds of cavalry," and most of the honors of the day fell to his daring cuirassiers.] [Illustration: WILLIAM M. THACKERAY ANTHONY TROLLOPE SIR WALTER SCOTT CHARLES DICKENS EDWARD BULWER-LYTTON Famous English Novelists.] On the next morning the battle was resumed. The allies, strongly posted, still outnumbered the French, and had abundant reason to expect victory. But Napoleon's eagle eye quickly saw that their left wing lacked the strength of the remainder of the line, and upon this he poured the bulk of his forces, while keeping their centre and right actively engaged. The result justified the instinct of his genius, the enemy was driven back in disastrous defeat, and once again a glorious victory was inscribed upon the banners of France--the final one in Napoleon's career of fame. [=A Series of French Disasters=]